Stakeholder Survey of March 2014

In March 2014, The International Seabed Authority launched a Stakeholder Survey Questionnaire aimed at soliciting relevant information for the development of a regulatory framework for the exploitation of minerals in the Area from members of the Authority and current and future stakeholders.

The objective of the survey is to begin a process of stakeholder engagement and consultation as envisaged by the Council at its 19th Session meetings where it agreed that more in-depth studies should be done on the development of an exploitation code for marine minerals in the Area (ISBA19/C/18 para 19) and where it discussed several issues including inter alia engaging stakeholders and encouraged the LTC to review these issues whilst continuing its work on the drafting of the mining code.

The Stakeholder Survey is the first in a series of stakeholder engagements anticipated by the Authority to begin the development of a regulatory framework which will incorporate contemporary best practice and from which the Authority expects to benefit from the in-depth views, analysis and opinions from experts on activities in the Area.

The survey focuses on four areas: Financial terms and obligations; Environmental management terms and obligations; Health and safety and maritime security and General considerations – stakeholder communication and transparency.

On the 13 March 2015, The Authority issued a Report (Ref: ISBA/Cons/2015/1) by the Legal and Technical Commission to Members of the Authority and all stakeholders in response to the Council’s request at its 20th Session to make available a draft framework for the regulation of exploitation.

On the 31 March 2015, The Authority also issued a Discussion Paper (Ref: ISBA/Cons/2015/2) aimed at the development and implementation of a payment mechanism for exploitation activities in the Area. The closing date for responses to the discussion paper is 29 May 2015.

All submissions can be emailed to consultation@isa.org.jm or sent by post to: International Seabed Authority, (list reference number), 14-20 Port Royal Street, Kingston, Jamaica.